One of my early memories was of my father taking me to an iconic hot dog stand in Oakland, California called Doggie Diner. At the time there were Doggie Diner franchises all over the Bay Area. I can still recall the smell and taste of the hot dogs and the steam-heated buns.

A favorite story my parents liked to tell was about my first visit to a Doggie Diner. My trip began when my dad asked me what I would like to do with him on his day off. Using my still-developing language skills, I said something akin to, “Let’s go to Doggie Diner and watch the girls go by.” At that age, I had no idea what watching “the girls go by” meant.

What I was experiencing on that first trip to a Doggie Diner, and each trip thereafter wherever we went somewhere together, was a bonding. I bonded with my dad in a way that only being together can provide. That first visit to a hot dog stand began a lifetime of adventures and discoveries a child is created to make with their father to form and deepen their relationship. 

While God is the creator of the depths of outer space and is powerful beyond our dinky imaginations, His joy is not first and foremost the result of creating the things around us that spark our wonder and then give us a list of does and don’ts then sit back and watch us struggle in with our imperfections. He wants the joy of bonding with His children. That requires time together.

The Hebrew word for “face” is often translated as “presence.” When we seek God’s face we want to connect with His presence. It is a word that defines proximity. That experience of presence is not limited to a room filled with chairs, state-of-the-art sound systems, and skilled musicians standing on a professionally designed stage and lighting system. While those environments have a purpose, our relationship with God must be something more. 

Perhaps the shutdown that occurred in the last few years had a hidden message and an invitation. In the vacancy of our predictable norm, God was asking us what we wanted to do with Him when the traditional religious environment and its props and programs were no longer available.

Some have answered that question like it was for a little boy 70 years ago telling his earthly father to take him to the Doggie Diner.  He wants to join in places that reflect the desires of our hearts. 

Like it was for my parents on my first visit to the Doggie Diner, the innocence of my request brought them great joy as they told that story in family gatherings over and over again as I grew up. When we want to be with the Lord, no matter what is happening around us while this crazy world tries to sort things out, it brings Him great joy. The joy God experiences from our desire to be with Him becomes our joy as we look into his face and experience His presence. It is the kind of joy that took place a long time ago when my pudgy little fingers held a hot dog while chomping down on its deliciousness with mustard smeared all over my face looking up into my father’s face feeling like it doesn’t get any better than this. 

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (I Peter 1:8-9).